Fence-post



(No Model.) I

J. GRAMER.

FENCE POST.

Patented July 9, 1895.

Jos 070k 0 ramcr I UNiTED STATES ATENT QFFIQE.

JOSEPH CRAMER, OF DELANO, MINNESOTA.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 542,241, dated July 9, 1895. Application filed April 17, 1895- Serial No. 546,098. (No model.)

in that class of fence-posts which are con- 3 is a longitudinal section taken through the structedof metallic rods and provided with base portions enlarged and removably secured to their lower ends, so that they will have a firm seat in the ground.

The object of the present invention is to improve the means for connecting the post and base and also to shape the base so that it will be capable of more effectively supporting the post and of adding to the stable character thereof. This end I attain by providing the base with a bar at its upper end, which projects outwardly and thence transversely, so as to permit the post to be passed between it and the base. Below this bar two inwardlyprojecting fingers are located, and these fingers project inwardly farther than the inner sides of the bar-,so that the post will bind against them as it is moved in place. By these means the post is securely connected with the base and held so by binding against it, as distinguished from being held by bolts or the equivalent. In order to insure the perinanent connection of the parts, the post is provided with a pin or plug, which is located just below the bar of the base, so as to bind against the same and prevent it from having upward movement.

In the drawings,Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a fence-post having my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2'is a top plan of the base, said View showing the relative arrangement of the bar and fingers. Fig.

base and showing the post applied thereto. Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line :r w of Fig. 3.

The reference-numeral 1 indicates the post, which is the-usual wooden post, and is formed after the manner of all fence-posts of this class. The post has its lower end formed with the beveled portions 2, which are arranged one at each side of the post and which serve to reduce the width thereof at its lower end. The base consists of a cast-iron bar,

having its lower end reduced and formed with the four plane faces 3, which give the bar a diamond shape in cross-section. The thickness of the base increases as it extends upwardly,and the upper portion is formed with a convex face 4 and a plane face 5. This plane face has formed therein and extending longitudinally with the face a semicircular groove 6.

7 indicates the bar referred to hereinbefore, and this may be rigidly secured to or formed integral with the base and is located at its upper portion, as may be seen by reference to the drawings. In the drawings the bar is shown to be rigidly secured to the base by seating its endsin notches formed in the sides thereof and by passing screws or other fastening devices through the bar and into the base. Casting is preferable, however, and in practice the bar 7 will probably becast integral with'the other portions of the base.

Located below the bar 7 are the fingers 8, which have also been referred to hereinbefore and which are two in number, arranged one at each side of the base and projecting outwardly and thence inwardly, their ends terminating directly adjacent to the sides of the groove 6. The fingers 8 curve inwardly and extend a distance from the plane face 5 of the base less than the distance between said face and the bar 7. This permits the post 1 to pass under the bar7 and to fitsnugly therein, while the lower end of the post passes between the fingers 8 and the beveled portions 2 engage with the respective fingers and bind thepost in place.

Formed in the postl is an opening 9, which extends through the same, and which is so located that when thepost is in connection with the base it will be located below the bar 7.

10 indicates a plug, which is capable of fitting within the opening 9 and of being securely connected therewith. By these means the post is prevented from being withdrawn,

and although these additional precautions are hardly necessary theyresult in a completely secure connection of the parts.

It 'will be observed that a post supplied with my improvements may be buried in the ground and supported with all necessary rigidity and one which may be readily connected to the base, and when once connected ICO affixed thereon so as to prevent any accidental disconnection. The principle of constrnction which makes the base capable of so effectively holding the post. is the arrangement of the bar 7 and fingers 8, whereby the lower end of the post is made to bind between the fingers S and the base, and whereby the bar 7 operates to steady the post and prevent it from twisting so as to become disconnected with the fingers.

Having described the invention, I claim A base for fence posts, and consisting of a vertically-elongated body portion having at its upper end a plane face 5, a bar having a portion extending parallel with the plane face and transversely in relation to the base, and

J OSEPII CRAMER.

Witnesses:

J. GUTZMILLER, J12, M. STAFFEs. Y 

